When General Hammond himself escorted the two cadets back down to the infirmary after their briefing, he told them to stick around that room and to stay close to Doctor Fraiser's bed in case she woke up. He also left instructions with the medical staff that anything the doctor needed – no matter how small or unpleasant it might be – was to be done by the cadets. He secretly wished there were a couple dozen bedpan that needed washing, but he was out of luck – or they were in luck, one or the other.

Leaving the infirmary – with another admonishment to the two to stay out of trouble – Hammond went to the commissary to find the members of SG-1 and Nathan Brooks. They were all there, including Daniel Jackson – who had arrived on base late that day because of a lecture he'd attended that morning and had been amazed at hearing what he'd missed. He'd gone to check on Janet – only to find her sleeping, and then had pulled Teal'c to the side for the rest of the story – the one Jack couldn't tell, because of the retired General who didn't know anything about Thor or the Asgard or beaming people up and the like.

"Nathan..."

Brooks stood up when Hammond joined him, as did both O'Neill's.

"George, it's good to see you again." Nathan held out his hand and Hammond shook it with a smile.

"You two know each other, Sir?" Jack asked.

"There aren't that many Generals in the Air Force, Colonel," Hammond said. "Every now and then we do have to get together and make sure none of them have decided to run off and join the Navy."

"It's been a while, George."

"That it has, Nathan." Hammond sat down and the others sat as well. "I just left your son in the infirmary with cadet Hayden to wait for Doctor Fraiser to wake up – he sure does look like Maggie."

Brooks nodded.

"Lucky for him," Jack said. Maggie, Jack knew, was Margaret. Brooks' wife – who Jack had met a few times, but honestly never would have been able to pick her out of a line up – it had just been that long.

"And poor Shawn here, stuck looking just like you, eh, Jack?" Nathan looked over at the brown-haired cadet, who smiled. "Poor kid." He shook his head, his eyes filled with pity.

"Your Ian has your sunny personality, Nathan," Hammond said, unaware that he was echoing a statement Jack had said earlier that day. "And a mouth like a sailor. Are you sure he's in the Air Force?"

"He's got a mouth on him, that's for sure," Nathan said, frowning. "That's why I made him go to the academy – to get it disciplined out of him. That and his temper. It's a doozy – worst one I've ever seen, and I've seen my share."

"I like him," Sam said. "He's a little rough around the edges, but he's never been anything but polite to me."

Shawn smiled; glad someone was sticking up for his roommate. Of course it would be Sam. Sam was perfect, as far as Shawn was concerned – and she was far too fair to let people pick on someone who wasn't there to defend himself.

"You like Jack, here, too, Major..." Nathan pointed out. "Look at the temper on him..."

"He's a sweetheart."

Shawn snickered and Jack threw him a reproachful look.

"Nothing out of you, young man," he said, pointing a finger at him. "Or I'll make sure you eat the leftovers with the dogs on Thursday."

Since there was absolutely no way the dogs – which included Jaffer and Jack – were going to be forced to eat scraps on Thanksgiving, the threat was a weak one, and pretty much everyone at the table knew it.

"Speaking of..." Sam turned to Nathan. "You're welcomed to come for Thanksgiving dinner, Nathan."

Brooks smiled and shook his head.

"I have to get back to New Jersey. I left in a hurry, and Maggie and I have a few things we need to take care of. Shawn here told me you were taking Ian in for the weekend, though, and I appreciate that."

"I'm glad to have him," Sam told him truthfully. "He's a fine young man."

"Who will make a fine young officer someday. Him and River, both," Jack said.

"You think so Jack?" Nathan asked, turning to his friend. "Even with his smart mouth and bad temper?"

Jack smiled, but much to Nathan's surprise, it was Daniel who answered.

"A short temper and a smart mouth aren't liabilities, Nathan," He said. "Look at Jack, here. He's got both – in spades – and no one would dare call him a bad officer. A bad example... maybe... and a bad dresser... well... yeah... and a bad-"

"We get it, Daniel," Jack said, cutting him off, scowling.

OOOOOOOO

When she opened her eyes, she had no idea where she was. She did know who she was – and that was a plus – but her head was pounding something fierce, and her mouth was dry, and hers eyes were just a bit unfocused.

"Hey, I think she's coming out of it!"

The shout – at least it seemed like a shout – came from right next to her ear, and Janet turned her head and looked to see who was yelling.

She realized two things immediately. One; she was in bed, and two; she was in the infirmary. Then she saw who was leaning over her, and she wondered who he was for the briefest of moments before she remembered.

"You're River."

The blonde nodded his head, his blue eyes watching her intently.

"Yes ma'am."

"You have pretty eyes."

There was a snort of amusement from the other side, and Janet turned away from River – who was blushing at the compliment – to see who else was there. The dark eyes were as cheerful and amused as the blue eyes had been concerned.

"Ian... right?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She was surrounded by good-looking young men... too young for her, of course, but it was fun looking. Especially when you're still a bit doped up and things that come to your mind immediately go straight out your mouth.

"I love your hair."

Now it was Brooks' turn to blush, and River's turn to snicker.

"Um... thanks." He gave River a dirty look, but there was no sign of it when he looked back down at the groggy doctor.

"How do you feel, ma'am?"

"How am I?" She asked.

"You're fine, Doctor Fraiser," a new voice said, and Janet looked over to see one of her senior staff members standing over her, now, as well.

"Hal?" She frowned. "Is that a new toupee?"

The Captain flushed slightly, looking at the two cadets, who were both trying to hide smiles.

"She's still feeling the affects of the tranquilizer," the doctor told them. "Doesn't know what she's saying."

"Of course not..." Ian said, looking over at River.

"You know, I've always admired your hair, too, Ian..." River told him with a smile.

"Fuck you, Hayden," Ian murmured – although his voice was just as amused as River's was, and his eyes were dancing with humor, now. "You can take your pretty eyes and shove them."